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Apple - Pro - Profiles - Alan Pollard

These Apple profiles are usually interesting reads, even if they are the web equivalent of infomercials. I’m always a fan of reading about some of the interesting setups that the big-time musicians use. Bjork’s set-up isn’t too goofy, but it is interesting that she is integrating the more abstract UIs from the various tools that her band is using to make the electronic stuff more compelling to her audience. Also, it must be nice to be able to borrow one of the two react-tables in extistance and then bring it on a tour.

link: Welshs Synthesizer Cookbook: Analog Synthesizer Programming

Over 140 pots, pans, kettles, lids, bowls, containers and more

More unique than conventional drum samples

Multiple hits: bottoms, sides, rims with mallet and light stick

Recorded with a Marantz EC-335 split-stereo microphone

I’ve been waiting for years for a device that will let me use my iPod for field recording. Being able to record on a moment’s whim without buying a separate device or lugging my mini-disc or portable DAT around would be nice. I was jazzed when it was reveiled that the 5G iPod would record at CD Quality stereo and even more jazzed when I read the review of the micromemo on iPodLounge. I finally got one last week and I have to say I’m really disappointed. I mean, it is probably fine for recording voice memos, but without more settings options, it is useless with external mics.

I did a little test with my two main, unobtrusive, field mics: a SoundPro SP-BMC3 dual-binaural setup, which is unpowered; and a Sony ECM-909A stereo mic that is self-powered. I also tried the included, mono, mic.

I did a little test sitting at my computer with Big Black playing at low volume in the background. I spoke into the mic and than just held it while the music played.

The results?

With the SoundPro: Silence, zero, zilch. XtremeMac says that you should use powered mics, so this isn’t completely a surprise, but I expected at least something. It does demonstrate how weak the attenuation is in the unit itself.

(linked files are the original WAV files produced with the recorder)

With the Sony powered Mic: Test with Sony Mic (3.4 MB) I was a bit underwhelmed here. Now, I wasn’t speaking in a “radio” voice. I was speaking somewhat sotto voce. I’m not bootlegging bands, I’m trying to capture ambiences. The sound of a market or church bells in the distance. I’ve often used this mic with my minidisc to do just that. There isn’t enough power in this Micromemo for this at all. You can barely hear the music coming out of the speakers less than two feet away from the mic.

With the included Mic: XTremeMac MicroMemo test with included mic (2.1 MB) The relative attenuation here is surprising. The included mic has a third ring around the jack, which I’m assuming is for supplying power. There is a lot of noise with the included mic, but it is also much brighter than my trusted Sony.

I didn’t bother using an extra booster inline with the mic because that defeats the whole purpose for me.

The gist? The MicroMemo is fine for recording memos. It doesn’t have enough power to do field or location recording, so I wouldn’t bother. I might carry it around in case I come across an interesting sounding construction site, but for Pike Place Market or down by the waterfront, I’ll continue to bring the mini disc.

[addendum: just saw Robin Hamman's review. Sounds like he is in complete agreement]

Interesting take on NAB from a video editor/Windows Media team member. Nice, homey, take on the NAB experience.

http://drewkeller.vox.com/library/post/nab-2007.html

Map design is fascinating. It is one of the highest forms of information design. How to convey complex information so that it is instantly accessible. The map showing Napolean’s foray into Russia in Edward Tufte’s books where he plots the size of the the army vs their penetration into the country is a classic example.

Subway and bus maps are especially interesting because they have to serve multiple purposes: they have to be legible from a distance (across a crowded subway car), they have to convey data quickly (should I get off here or is the next stop closer to where I want to go) and they have to be useful to locals, who know their geography and tourists who may not know where they are immediately.

Eddie Jabbour of Kick Design has redesigned the NYC subway map. His new map is clearer and easier to parse visually, but he has abandoned spatial continuity. The comparisons on his site between the old and new are obvious and even if you don’t like his proposed map, the design is instructive.

[via basement.org]

wow, this is a great resource

Using dummy clips for automation
Making a wet-dry control for the rack

[via Creative Cow Forums]

Also, The Hush Sound - The Lions Roar

Open Source Resistance

This is an associated website for the new Nine Inch Nails album. They are soliciting propaganda in multiple media and then distributing it. So far it looks like the submitted work is mostly posters. The work on the site is fairly high quality. Could become a nice resource for design ideas when you are stuck.

In the “do it because it is there” category…

The Covert Operators